The National Neighbourhood : Press Play

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Oct 26, 2016, 4:10 pm

Why Press Play?

We’re first up with the ‘blogging’ I’m told – so let me begin by introducing myself. I’m Emma Connors, Arts Development Manager at axis Arts Centre in the heart of Ballymun. axis is delighted to be working with all of the other partners on The National Neighbourhood: Press Play project. It is a real opportunity to develop something memorable, fun and meaningful with local people in the North-West area of Dublin, Dublin City Council, The National Museum of Ireland and the Abbey Theatre.

Good ideas need to be teased out; they should be challenged; and they must be given room to breathe and time to take form

Developing a new project is an exciting and at times nervous process. It takes time, energy, thought, lengthy conservations, attention to detail, consultation, confidence and lots of post-its. Good ideas need to be teased out; they should be challenged; and they must be given room to breathe and time to take form. PRESS PLAY has gone through that process – and what we have now is a vibrant project that we’ve started to roll out and we’re excited to see how it all comes together over the coming months.

So what’s PRESS PLAY all about? Well, if I were to come up with a simple tagline to sum up the project, I’d say…

‘Pressing play on creativity in Cabra, Finglas, Whitehall and Ballymun’

Inspired by the theme of ‘PLAY’, we have a wonderful mix of artists/facilitators involved in the project including visual artists, musicians, model makers, rappers, museum guides, composers, play officers, writers, theatre practitioners and videographers.

As with all other national neighbourhood projects, PRESS PLAY is a multi-layered project with many stakeholders, so we decided to draw up a set of ‘Cultural Basics’, a checklist of sorts that we can refer back to over the next few months. It’s about staying true to the project’s aims, remembering why we’re doing what we’re doing and keeping the project on track. Let me end our first blog by sharing some of them here.

PRESS PLAY // CULTURAL BASICS

‘Press play’ on creativity in Cabra, Finglas, Whitehall and Ballymun

Citizen consultation feedback (Teas & Chats) should be kept in mind and used to guide all stages of the project development whenever possible

Make the project and its outputs as visible as possible

Ensure the project has some meaningful legacy

Develop a programme of memorable and one off pop-up cultural experiences for the community to maximise participation and animate the area

Ensure that The Abbey Theatre and The National Museum feel a real connection to the local community and vice versa; that the project is developed with the National Institutions’ and local needs and wants firmly in mind

Tailor the project in such a way that The Abbey Theatre and The National Museum work together too – not separate projects; but one overall project with different project strands with one overall project vision

Use the project as an opportunity to ‘unearth’ local artists (living and working in the area) and to connect them to the project and the local community in an engaging and active way

Culturally programme into the North West area in new and innovative ways

Create showcasing opportunities for the area (outdoor presentations/events where possible)

Offer some ‘by night’ engagement

Ensure the project has an intergenerational element – younger and older people working together creatively

Don’t pick ‘obvious’ groups to work with – get ‘unlikely’ people involved, ‘hidden’ groups, those who don’t ‘normally access culture’

Use the project as an opportunity to develop a new sense of pride in the area

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What People are saying

It has allowed us as a Cultural Institution to connect with communities, and to add their unique stories to the Library’s Collections where they will be preserved and made available to future generations. This project is really something to be proud of.

SANDRA COLLINS

The National Library

I have many memorable moments…the project was a great experience for me. It was fantastic and inspiring and I am proud of my own part in the creative and directive process and honoured to walk away with new friendships in an amazing community.

Hugh Brown

Artist

Cllr ANDREW KEEGAN

People Before Profit Alliance

By bringing local groups to cultural buildings in the capital and engaging with local schools on projects that would inspire them to understand the nature and culture around them, you’d have to say it was a great success and I think more good things will come from this.

HEATHER HUMPHREYS TD

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

PHIL KINGSTON

The Abbey Theatre

Culture is an important part in building neighbourhood spirit and it is an ambition of Dublin City Council to continue to give the opportunity for people to learn and participate in the arts in their neighbourhood in all parts of the city.